A new practical nursing program is coming to the College of New Caledonia in Quesnel.
Mark Karjaluoto, the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications for CNC, says it will begin in the fall of 2024.
“It’s a two-year diploma program. It’s a way to open the doors for people to become healthcare providers and to help address some of the nursing shortages that are seen not only in this region but across the province.  By doing the diploma program, that 2 year program, it can allow people to get to the bedside a little bit quicker, a somewhat different scope of practice, but still make a difference to the lives of patients and families.”
Karjaluoto says they have had a lot of success working with Northern Health in the past in providing healthcare assistance education.
“Where students come in, they become employees of the health authority, they work and then they study over a year and then become healthcare assistants as well. So it’s trying to expand that whole range of education that can help people in taking on new careers, and make a difference in a sector that absolutely needs the support.”
He says there are 12 seats available between the Quesnel and Burns Lake campuses, with 7 of those being in Quesnel.
Karjaluoto says the college is also trying to help students prepare for the new program.
“We’re going to offer a very specific stream of upgrading that will help potential students get well qualified to be able to apply. It doesn’t guarantee them acceptance in the nursing program, but it will help them to make their application as strong as it can be.”
Karjaluoto says there is also a ZOOM meeting this (Wednesday) morning at 10 o’clock that will offer more information about the new practical nursing program.
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